Coroner's Diary

"I'm scared because I lost my mother, but why was Mother scared..."

Yan Sui's soft murmur made Qin Guan frown. She glanced at the seemingly sleeping Empress Dowager before asking with mild surprise, "Why would Consort Jin be afraid?"

Her tone was perfectly natural, and Yan Sui, being so young, naturally detected nothing unusual.

His clear black-and-white eyes gazed at the distant mountains without a trace of fluctuation. Qin Guan found it hard to imagine that a mere four-year-old child could possess such an expression—Yan Sui didn't even seem sorrowful. After a moment's contemplation, he said, "Mother was indeed very scared at that time. I could tell."

What did Yan Sui mean by this?

Was Consort Jin afraid when she died? Did her face bear a frightened expression? Or had Consort Jin begun feeling fear even before the incident occurred? As an Inner Palace consort who had enjoyed the emperor's favor in recent years, what person or matter could possibly frighten her?

"What was she afraid of?"

Qin Guan pressed further, but Yan Sui shook his small head and pressed his lips together, falling silent.

Though Qin Guan wished to continue questioning, she feared disturbing the Empress Dowager. Seeing the expression on Yan Sui's face, her heart softened with pity. She could only say, "Perhaps Your Highness is overthinking. Consort Jin was an adult—she wouldn't be afraid. Your Highness should strive to be like her."

Yan Sui continued staring outside, his expression cold and stubborn. Clearly, Qin Guan's comforting words had failed to reassure him. Witnessing this, Qin Guan grew increasingly perplexed.

Yan Sui's demeanor unmistakably confirmed that Consort Jin had been deeply afraid beforehand—but why?

Since Yan Sui was only four years old, Qin Guan couldn't probe too deeply.

Sighing inwardly, she fell silent for a while.

Yan Sui remained leaning against the window, gazing outside until dusk descended.

Though early spring had arrived, the lingering winter chill remained biting. The Empress Dowager's carriage was luxuriously appointed with fine carpets, light blankets, and a small heating stove in one corner—supremely comfortable. Qin Guan leaned against the carriage wall, lost in thought for a long time until they reached Phoenix Cry Slope, where the halting carriage roused the Empress Dowager.

The party would rest at Phoenix Cry Slope that night. The vanguard had already set up camp ahead. Being a temporary encampment, it lacked the completeness of Mount Wei Military Camp. While each noble had their own tent, others shared family tents—women resting in the inner area, officials in the outer. Wan Fei, for instance, shared a tent with the Eighth Prince. Envoys from Western Liang and Northern Wei were allotted individual tents, thus gathering everyone together a day earlier.

By the time the Empress Dowager was settled, night had fully fallen. The camp, situated in a wind-sheltered spot, wasn't particularly cold, but the limited conditions still discomforted the nobles. The evening meal displeased the Empress Dowager's palate, and combined with travel fatigue, she ate very little. The tent contained two main beds—one shared by Yan Sui and the Empress Dowager, while Qin Guan had a separate cot.

Seeing how late it was and knowing they must depart early the next morning, Qin Guan first gave the Empress Dowager a shoulder and back massage. Then she had hot water prepared to steep the Empress Dowager's feet with medicinal packs. While Mammy Chen handled miscellaneous tasks, Qin Guan personally arranged the medications. Since the luggage remained unpacked, Qin Guan went with Baiying to fetch the medicinal packs from the Empress Dowager's carriage.However, the moment she stepped outside, Qin Guan's footsteps faltered slightly.

The military camp was dotted with tents in a scattered layout, with the Imperial Guards stationed at the outermost perimeter. Between the tents, patrol teams carrying torches moved about. By the flickering torchlight, Qin Guan clearly caught sight of a graceful figure.

Tuoba Wu, accompanied by two maids, was peering into one tent after another, as if searching for someone.

Being unfamiliar with the place and unable to speak up at such a moment, no one knew what she was actually doing.

But Qin Guan knew. Pressing her lips together, she didn't linger and turned to fetch the medicine.

Baiying frowned and asked, "That's the princess of Northern Wei—what is she looking for?"

"She's looking for the Crown Prince."

Qin Guan's tone was slightly cold. Baiying sensed something amiss. Two days earlier, Yan Chi had sent a letter to the Marquis' residence. At the time, Qin Guan had looked rather displeased after reading it, though it didn't seem to be anything too serious, and the matter was soon dropped. The entire household had been busy preparing for the spring hunt, and even she and Fuling were occupied with tasks, so Qin Guan hadn't had the chance to meet with Yan Chi.

After a moment's thought, Baiying couldn't help but ask, "Miss, has something happened?"

Qin Guan snorted inwardly. "Your former master has crossed paths with this princess, and she's developed lovesickness for him..."

Baiying gasped softly—so that was why!

Meanwhile, Qin Guan was fuming inwardly, feeling deeply aggrieved. Though she had found Yan Chi's words somewhat suspicious, she had trusted him completely. Yet who could have known that in his subsequent letter to the Marquis' residence, he claimed he didn't remember meeting Tuoba Wu, though his investigation revealed that she often stayed outside the palace, preferring to wander beyond its walls. She had once traveled to the southeastern region of Northern Wei—the very border area near the Path where the Rong invaders encroached. And Yan Chi had mentioned that the Northwest Frontier Army had once aided Northern Wei.

Given this, Tuoba Wu's claim of having met Yan Chi couldn't be false.

Yet Yan Chi claimed not to know—whether he truly didn't remember or was feigning ignorance remained unclear.

Seeing Qin Guan's cold expression, Baiying said, "The Crown Prince's tent is at the outermost edge, near the Imperial Guards. Although he isn't in charge of the camp's defense this time, the Imperial Guards' commander, Lin Zhang, specifically sought his advice. So the Crown Prince chose to set up his quarters close to the Imperial Guards."

Qin Guan had no desire to hear any of this at the moment. She nodded slightly but didn't respond.

Now that they had left Lin'an City with the camp, this matter was beyond her control. Yan Chi, of course, had his own ways of handling it. Still, the thought of it left her feeling stifled and resentful.

If only she hadn't spoken so highly of him in front of the Empress Dowager!

In the past, she had never understood the complexities of love. Reading those storybooks where women fretted and pined over their beloved's slightest whims, she had thought them overly sentimental and delicate. But now, experiencing it herself, she finally understood. Even someone like her—praised by her own father for her calm and rational nature—could feel such vexation and jealousy. She was beginning to realize that her possessiveness toward Yan Chi ran deeper than she had ever imagined.The night air was chilly. When Qin Guan returned to the Empress Dowager's tent, Tuoba Wu was nowhere to be seen. She must have failed in her search and gone elsewhere. Though they had camped midway, the encampment was vast enough that even Qin Guan didn't know where Yan Chi was, let alone whether Tuoba Wu would manage to track him down.

Even if they didn't cross paths now, they would surely meet at Weishan.

...

Meanwhile, Tuoba Wu was indeed searching tent by tent.

As a princess of Northern Wei, she found herself constrained at every turn in Great Zhou. Compounded by having an elder brother—the Crown Prince—who strictly adhered to protocols, she had no swift means of locating Yan Chi. Thus, she could only wander under the guise of leisure, hoping to find him. She had assumed she would see Yan Chi as soon as they reached Lin'an City, yet nearly ten days had passed without a glimpse.

Her maid, noticing Tuoba Wu venturing further outward, whispered anxiously, "Your Highness, we cannot go any farther. Beyond lies the area for Great Zhou's male officials—it's improper for us. If the Crown Prince finds out, he will not spare us."

Whenever Tuoba Wu caused trouble, Tuoba Hong would only reprimand her verbally, while the actual punishment fell upon her attendants. Tuoba Wu understood this well, but her patience had worn thin.

Another servant added, "Your Highness, the spring hunt is just a day away. You will surely see the one you wish to meet then. Please, let us return for now..."

Tuoba Wu refused to give up. "He is the heir apparent of the royal house—he can't be outside. I must find him."

The two maids exchanged worried glances.

"Your Highness, it's late now. Roaming about like this is against the rules. We should head back before the Crown Prince learns—"

"Even if you were to see the heir apparent, would you recognize him, Your Highness?"

Tuoba Wu frowned. "How could I not? His presence is unmatched in this world."

"Please lower your voice, Princess," the maids urged nervously, scanning their surroundings lest her words be overheard.

Pursing her lips, Tuoba Wu hesitated to proceed further. Not far off, men moved to and fro. After a moment's thought, she retreated. By now, she had strayed far from her own tent and stood uncertainly before an unfamiliar one, relying on vague memory to find her way back. Before long, however, she spotted Liu Yun's guards.

Frowning, Tuoba Wu observed under the cover of night that Liu Yun had just returned with his guards and entered his tent. He had come from the direction of the camp's center. It was late, and no audience with the Emperor had been scheduled for envoys that evening. Where had Liu Yun been?

Suspicion stirred within her. Signaling her maids to stay put, Tuoba Wu stealthily approached Liu Yun's tent.

The two maids grew frantic, but lacking martial skills, they dared not follow, fearing they might give themselves away.

Holding her breath and moving silently, Tuoba Wu reached the tent and could faintly hear voices from within. Liu Yun sounded exasperated: "The Fifth Princess is the Crown Prince's own sister. If the Crown Prince could put in a word, there would be no worry about the Empress disagreeing. But this Crown Prince of Great Zhou is far from easy to deal with!""Your Highness, what shall we do now? If we cannot marry a princess of Great Zhou, you may lose the chance to replace the First Prince upon our return. Perhaps we should try to win over the Fifth Princess? The little fox we sent last time already pleased her. If we continue catering to her preferences, she will surely grow fond of Your Highness. Since the Fifth Princess is doted on by the Emperor and Empress of Great Zhou, if she expresses her affection for you, they would not refuse."

Liu Yun responded with a cold laugh, "That Fifth Princess may appear innocent, but she is not foolish. She accepted the little fox, yet all subsequent gifts were forwarded to the Empress. Now we can only offer jewelry and ornaments—how could we present a second little fox?"

The advisor accompanying Liu Yun sighed. "Young girls adore small pets, but even if we had another fox, it would be inappropriate to repeat the gesture. Allow me to devise another way to investigate the Fifth Princess’s preferences."

Liu Yun gave a noncommittal "Hmm," then his tone turned icy. "The Crown Prince of Northern Wei seems determined to succeed this time. If all else fails, we may have to resort to other methods."

"What methods does Your Highness have in mind?"

Liu Yun chuckled darkly. "We are heading for the spring hunt. In hunting, accidents and injuries are always possible..."

The advisor caught his meaning. "Your Highness intends to—"

"Shh. This requires careful planning."

"Understood, Your Excellency—"

Rustling sounds emerged from the tent as Liu Yun prepared to retire. Hearing this, Tuoba Wu’s brow furrowed deeply. How dare Liu Yun plot against her elder brother, the Crown Prince!

Stepping back silently, Tuoba Wu hurried toward the two maidservants and swiftly retraced her path. "I must find Brother Crown Prince—"

The maidservants, unaware of what Tuoba Wu had overheard, remained silent. After taking a detour, they reached Tuoba Hong’s tent. The guards, recognizing Tuoba Wu, did not dare obstruct her. She lifted the tent flap and entered. Late as it was, Tuoba Hong had barely touched the food on his desk, still engrossed in reviewing documents. At the sight, Tuoba Wu’s heart softened. "Brother Crown Prince—"

Tuoba Hong looked up, first studying her expression, then noticing the mud on her shoes. He frowned. "Have you been seeking out the heir apparent again?"

Tuoba Wu pressed her lips together, surprised he had seen through her so quickly.

She approached, took the documents from his hands, and pushed the food closer to him. "It’s so late, Brother Crown Prince should eat. I was merely curious about the camp and wandered around."

Tuoba Hong was not convinced. He sighed. "Do not act recklessly."

Tuoba Wu snorted. "I know. Your marriage to a Great Zhou princess is the priority."

Tuoba Hong hesitated, then said, "It’s not that. Great Zhou values etiquette deeply. Whatever you intend, you must wait for the right moment. Lately, the heir apparent has not entered the palace—I wonder why..."

"Am I, a princess of Northern Wei, unworthy of an heir apparent?"Tuoba Wu's tone was arrogant. Tuoba Hong shook his head and said no more, simply lowering his head to eat. Remembering her true purpose for coming, Tuoba Wu immediately leaned forward and said, "Crown Prince, earlier I passed by Liu Yun's tent and overheard him saying he also intends to marry the Fifth Princess. He even claimed that if he couldn't win her fairly, he would resort to other methods. Crown Prince, he plans to use the spring hunt to harm you!"

Tuoba Hong immediately looked up, locking eyes with Tuoba Wu for a moment, knowing she wasn't lying.

Narrowing his eyes, Tuoba Hong let out a cold laugh. "Liu Yun... Western Liang people always favor these underhanded tactics..."

Tuoba Wu exclaimed angrily, "Brother, he wasn't joking! You must be cautious of him! Especially once we reach Mount Wei—during the hunt and the martial demonstrations—you cannot let your guard down."

Tuoba Hong's gaze softened slightly. "Don't worry, I understand."